Blog Hop: The Writing Process

Posted Apr 7 2014, 8:17 pm

Blog Hops are such fun! I enjoy reading them and hope you do, too. 

I was invited to this one by Barbara Binns, author of multiculutral young adult fiction about real boys growing into real men and the people who love them. You can check out Barbara here: http://babinns.com/index.php

Here are the questions we’re all answering in this Blog Hop. 

What Am I Working On?

I’m working on two projects concurrently at the moment. My third Sourcebooks Fire novel, SOME BOYS, is in the final revision stages for its August, 2014 release and I just began the first draft of a novel called FIRE DRILL, about a teenage volunteer firefighter. 

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

This is a tough one. I’m told I write stories with palpable emotion. I hope that’s true. 

Why do I write what I do?

I adore young adult fiction because I’m surrounded by young adults. I’m the proud mother of two sons — one of whom is a reluctant reader. In fact, I finished my first novel on a competition we had going — he promised he’d read it if I wrote it. Neither of us ever expected just how far that dare would take me.        

How does your writing process work?

I’m a pretty devoted Plotter. I like to know who my characters are, what makes them tick, what brands they’d buy at the supermarket, before I write down a word. I also like to know how their story ends or at least, have some general idea. As I start my first draft, I find I rarely stick to that outline. The act of writing forces intimacy; I learn more about those characters with each chapter and frequently discover the original ending I envisioned isn’t as good as the second, fifth, or even tenth idea I can dream up. My debut novel, SEND, was rewritten about 7 times before it was published and each version has a different ending. 

 

 

 

 

2 Comments

Comments

2 responses to “Blog Hop: The Writing Process”

  1. michael says:

    i love your book “send”!but could you give me your opinion if julie forgives dan and they have a life together?your a great author!

    • Patty Blount says:

      Hi, Michael! Thanks for kind words. Click the Blog link and then click “Dan’s Blog” to read what happens after the book ends.